Groningen University is to force all its research groups to use the Google mail system, despite protests by maths and physics research scientists, the Volkskrant says on Friday.

Groningen’s mathematics and natural science faculties say they have major objections to the plan and fear advantages – a larger capacity mailbox and good anti-hacking security – do not outweigh the concerns, which primarily come from private sector partners.

Companies who work with the researchers say correspondence about patent applications, for example, is not safe with Google. IBM and DSM in particular are concerned, sources told the Volkskrant.

Many Dutch universities have switched student mail to google but Groningen is the first to require researchers to make the switch. The university says it can save €150,000 a year.